STORY ARCHIVE

We’ve seen how devastating diseases like Ebola and SARS viruses escape into the human population with fatal consequences. Now there’s another threat. Already, three people have died from this deadly virus and scientists have scrambled to find the source. More often than not, these viruses are coming from animals. Researchers have identified the latest Hendra virus, which claimed its third victim only several months ago. Dr Maryanne Demasi talks to scientists about where the next threat will come from and whether or not Australia will be ready for it.

Hendra Virus

TRANSCRIPT

NARRATIONThis is the Australian Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong, Victoria. It's the largest bio-containment facility in the world.

Lab personThis is where you remove your clothing...ok,

Dr Maryanne DemasiAs in ALL of my clothing

Lab personAll you clothing, so you're standing there starkers

Dr Maryanne DemasiEven my underwear?

Lab personEven your underwear

Dr Maryanne DemasiOh dear

NARRATIONBiosecurity doesn't get much tighter than this. Anything that goes in must be decontaminated before it comes out - including me. This facility houses live viruses, often unidentified, lethal and highly contagious - viruses for which there's no treatment and no cure. If anything escapes, it could spell disaster.

Dr Linfa WangWe have to do strategic research so that we would be ready if any virus happen to get into Australia.

Dr Maryanne Demasi Demasi - PTCIn here are the worst of the worst when it comes to viruses. Many names may be familiar to you: SARS, Nipah and Hendra virus. And when they strike, they hit the headlines.

News bulletinsMention of SARS, Hendra

NARRATIONScientists are trying to stay one step ahead of the next outbreak of a deadly virus.

Dr Linfa WangVirus are coming from all different sort of reservoirs. But one thing is a certain now is that most of the human new infections originated from animal.

NARRATIONThis story began in '94 when a mysterious viral outbreak caused the death of a horse trainer and several of his horses in the Brisbane suburb of Hendra.

News bulletinDeath of Vic Rail and his stable of horsesSept 1994

Dr Linfa WangAs soon as the sample came to our lab we were able to isolate a virus basically.

NARRATIONTeams of scientists worked around the clock to isolate and identify the new virus. They called it Hendra.

Dr Linfa WangIt took two weeks. Now I think that by any international standard that's a world record.

Dr Linfa WangAnd you can just, you know, compare the discovery of the Hendra virus with SARS virus. I mean, SARS was circulating and killing more than, you know, 100 people before the virus was discovered four months later.

NARRATIONAn electron microscope gave scientists their first picture of Hendra. It made the cover of the prestigious journal "Science".

Dr Maryanne Demasi DemasiSo these are examples here?

Dr Linfa WangYes, this is the example of the hendra virus.

Dr Maryanne DemasiSo that's Hendra virus, that's the real deal.

Dr Linfa WangYes.

NARRATIONArmed with this information, the next challenge was to find out where the virus originated.

Hume FieldThe starting point for the, for the hunt for the origin of the virus if you like really was ah the paddock where the first horse got sick.So we were looking at ah possums, bandicoots, rodents, birds, a range of things that were in the paddock there. And we found no evidence of infection there.

NARRATIONThe death of a second person, who handled an infected horse in MacKay, raised the stakes.

News bulletinTests have confirmed that a Queensland man who died at the weekend had the same mystery horse virus suspected of killing trainer Vic Rail.

NARRATIONFinding the source of the virus became more urgent.

ScientistWe need to find this deadly virus.

NARRATIONThey were closing in on a host - clues pointed to an animal that could move swiftly and cover a lot of ground.

Dr Hume FieldWithin in I think probably six weeks in central Queensland... ...we were able to identify antibodies to Hendra Virus in bats.

Dr Linfa WangWe are finding more and more virus from bats. Although the first ah bat virus was discovered 100 years ago, but I don't think that people have paid enough attention to bats as a reservoir of nasty virus.

Dr Hume FieldThese viruses have always been there. Ah the reason why we're now seeing them, that they're now spilling out is not that the viruses have changed, but that the opportunity for the viruses to spill out has changed.

NARRATIONZoologist Les Hall has been studying bats or flying foxes for over 40 years.

Dr Maryanne Demasi DemasiAnd they like hanging out by the river?

Dr Les HallYes it's a typical roosting area for them.

Dr Les HallFlying foxes are becoming more urban. It looks as though it's ah urban areas are more reliable food resources. So that does um increase the amount of contact with humans.

NARRATIONBut the presence of more bats in urban areas, raises more questions than it answers.

Why hasn't there been an increase in people being infected by bats directly?

And how do horses become infected?

Dr Hume FieldFlying foxes excrete virus in ah foetal fluids ah in urine and also in saliva. We believe that those fluids from an infected flying fox contaminate grass or feed or water trough or a stable rail... ...and if the horse is susceptible to that infection then it'll become infected.

NARRATIONResearchers are now trying to prove that theory.

Dr Maryanne DemasiIt's just before dusk and the researchers are out there laying down these plastic sheets which they'll put under the bats to collect urine samples overnight. Now, potentially these urine samples may contain live viruses so that's why they're all kitted up in those outfits.

Now tomorrow morning, they'll be back at first light to collect these samples and take them back to the lab.

NARRATIONThey process these urine samples searching for any signs of Hendra virus. Suspect samples are sent to Linfa's lab in Geelong for further analysis. Their challenge is to find out how it gets from bats to horses.

Dr Linfa WangIt's basically a lottery. One out a million chances a bat dropping to your horse and your horse is susceptible. In laboratory conditions we have done that experiment once and we fail. So it's very difficult to understand that process.

NARRATIONHendra seemed to disappear, but more than a decade later it struck a third time last year.

Dr David LovellWhen we arrived here in the morning we noticed that ah, staff noticed that there was something very wrong with the horse. He was quite dangerous and very maniacal. He was just uncontrollable. And ah, I mean it was obvious he was going to die.

Dr Maryanne Demasi Demasi - PTCThis is the yard where the first horse that contracted Hendra, lived. Subsequently, another 4 horses fell sick with the virus.

Dr Maryanne Demasi Demasi - PTCAt least 15 staff had high exposure to the horses, but only two became infected.

Dr David LovellI would have to say probably myself was the one that was exposed to ah to more of the horses than anyone else And I didn't become infected.

Dr David LovellNow I don't know whether or not the horse actually sneezes on you or if you're unlucky to be in front of the horse and it sneezes at that point in time and you get inhalation of the virus. We don't know.

NARRATIONOnce a horse becomes infected, Hendra multiplies exponentially and becomes far more virulent. And while very few people acquire the infection, when they do, it's lethal with a 50% mortality rate.

Dr Linfa WangWe can't do anything right now. We don't have drugs. We don't have vaccine.

Dr Linfa WangWe are confident that if there's a will we can develop a vaccine which can be utilise either in horse or a human. And we have some preliminary data actually - animal models - we already have a candidate vaccine working.

NARRATIONThe challenge is there's a lack of commercial drive.

Dr Maryanne Demasi So the science is there, but the money's not?

Dr Linfa WangThat's right.

NARRATIONIt's a job made even more difficult by the fact that there are very few labs like this one in the world, equipped to handle live viruses.

Dr Linfa WangYou'll need to shower for 3 mins and I'll see you on the other side

Dr Maryanne DemasiOK.

NARRATIONIt's time for me to leave the lab. Everyone is required to decontaminate by taking a 3 minute shower to avoid viruses escaping from the facility.

Dr Maryanne DemasiSo despite all the research that's going on in there, there are still a lot of unanswered questions.

NARRATIONSo if bats are the natural reservoirs for so many deadly viruses, should we eradicate them from urban areas?

Dr Hume FieldI don't think we need to be afraid of bats. Diseases emerge because that upset of the balance of nature and ecological impact ah and, and Hendra has emerged at least in part because of that impact on the environment of bats. Ah killing more bats is simply going to upset that balance even further and arguably make the problem worse.

NARRATIONSo do we face the threat of a new deadly virus from bats?

Dr Linfa WangWithout any doubt I think that there's a chance that you have the virus which is even more deadly and more readily transmissible between human. Now, if these one jump out of bats then we will get much more serious outbreaks.

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YOUR COMMENTS

Comments for this story are closed. No new comments can be added.

C.Ryan - 26 Dec 2009 2:14:54pm

How many people have caught the Hendra Virus from bats and died? Hmmm none. How many people have caught the Hendra Virus from horses and died? A few. Why are we not blaming and killing horses? Money perhaps...

Jacqui - 11 Feb 2010 11:10:11pm

Try focusing on the issue, rather than searching for who to blame.

Deahnna - 07 Jun 2010 11:16:36am

we shouldnt blame the animals if any one there owners because there not taking care of there own pets

Tari - 13 Sep 2011 2:29:47pm

You have got to be kidding! That is SO ignorant. How on earth can you possibly equate that someone who's animal contracts Hendra means they are not taking care of their pet? Do your research before suggesting such crap. Would you like to keep a few hundred horses inside your house to prevent them from coming into contact with bats? Is that better care of them?

Heather - 10 Oct 2009 3:46:45pm

Recently I've had to research this virus as part of a university unit on Animal health and welfare.So far this recount of the story of hendra has been the least detailed and helpful.For those of you below worried about the portrayal of bats in this story should have a look at previous stories done by the media, though older, are more detailed into the research that has been done into the virus.The main point is that bats were not the only animal investigated, and hundreds were tested prior to the first bat being tested and antibodies, as well as several days later a live virus being found in samples.This is another story several of you might be interested in, its actually a 30 minute presentation from 1997 and contains much detail into Hendra. http://www.abc.net.au/quantum/stories/s47.htmGlad to see people aren't jumping to conclusions about the disease.

Robb Christensen - 10 Sep 2009 8:12:54pm

The latest human death has prompted me to get on the net and among other sites I find this with the comments from bat lovers. Human and horse deaths don't matter and apparently the overriding need is for native forests to be pollinated. What about the destruction to native mangroves on Ross Creek, Yepoon, the destruction of a heritage park in Charters Towers, or the appalling mess of flying fox faeces on the ramp and handrails at the embarkation point to the Katherine Gorge tourist boats? Why are there so many bats around these days, and why do our local authorities have to waste money "relocating" them?

Denise Wade - 10 Mar 2009 10:35:29pm

Hang your heads in shame ABC. What a hatchet job. What is it they say about not letting the truth get in the way of a good story? All you have done is contribute to the vilification of a native species without any hard evidence to support your accusations. Instead of looking for easy scapegoats, search for the real truth. Your 'facts' simply don't add up and anybody with an ounce of commonsense can see holes in your story big enough to drive a truck through. How about a more balanced and truthful account on the real disease carriers or are you trying to protect a multi-million dollar horse racing industry? Shame ABC shame. Produce a story to be proud of - give us the real facts about flying-foxes and the incredibly important role they play in biodiversity and in polination of our native forests. Confess the absence of any hard evidence that Hendra is spread by bats. The truth about Hendra please.

Carol Raymen - 07 Apr 2009 5:02:33pm

Perhaps you need to do more research into the Hendra virus. My horse died from this virus. It was a horrendous, excruciating death and was caused by bats. This is not a case of protecting the race horse industry. My horse was a beloved friend and companion but because he wasn't a race horse his case was largely ignored until it became pat of a parliamentary review. You want to know what Hendra virus is like not only the horses dying but the people who have to treat it and worry whether they have it read the book 'Spillover:A Memoir' and get a first hard version together with facts you won't get from the government. They are speaking the truth about Hendra. Listen.

shae - 05 Oct 2009 1:46:47pm

I totally agree, everything relates to the racehorse industry. It was exactly the same with Equine influenza. Such care was taken to protect the racehorses, most of which eventually being sold off to the doggers or cheap as because of injuries caused by racing, however pets and professional level horses where simply pushed aside when it came to vaccinations

Teresa Rix - 04 Mar 2009 11:43:57pm

What a load of scaremongering malarkey. They don't know how the horses at Hendra & Mackay were infected with the virus & until they DO know for certain ... leave the bats alone. You're freaking people out, they think if they look at a bat they'll grow two extra heads and another tongue with an eye on the end is going to protrude from under their armpit. So stop, you're condemning the bats to a lifetime of hardship. =^..^=

There are too many questions not answered before I believe this theory. First the FFoxes fly all over the Eastern Coast of Aust from Bass St to the Arafuga Sea.in continuous migration.Why is only this small area of Q'land affected? Why race horses not draft horses or old ones in the paddocks? How is it spread? It was said that the FFoxes had a similar antibody.How similar? Why only infected horses can kill the victims? Dr Field said that on testing stables after a horse has died No Hendra Virus was found in the urine etc that was left. Why? Does the virus die on exposure to air like AIDS, Too many questions unanswered. While the F Foxes are being blamed maybe the real culprit is spreading more disease.

C Raymen - 31 May 2010 1:55:02pm

It isn't the only part of the country infected. Bats have been tested positive for this virus all along the east coast of Aust, down to Melb and SA so everyone should be alert now. As far as testing negative it is because this nasty little virus mutates so quickly tht an animal can test negative one day and positive the next or even a week later. They can die with a negative tst but then test positive at post mortem. All people are saying is be careful. Not advocating slaughter but be careful and keep an eye out because if you get this disease there is no cure. It's not like a cut finger.

Mrs CJW - 02 Mar 2009 12:17:04pm

This story was so much poorer than the excellent Background Briefing radio documentary on the same topic (transcript and audio available at: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/backgroundbriefing/stories/2009/2444985.htm)

I realise that TV dumbs things down but does it have to deliberately sensationalise things?

I'm glad that those sections of the community that are particularly anti-bat were probably watching 'Biggest Loser' instead of this program.

sheree Visser - 28 Feb 2009 3:36:48pm

I was most disappointed in the lack of any new information in your programme. We're told that bats pass on Hendra desease to horses because they have antibodies, but have any bats actually suffering for the disease ever been found? I'm beginning to wonder if insects like mosqitos or fleas are actually passing the disease from horses to bats who may have a natural immunity to it so only produce the antibodies. Are any scientists actually looking at it from this point of view. I have had bats coming to my yard to feed from flowering and fruiting trees for years and we have even had gatherings of family and friends for parties within a few feet of where the bats are feeding. Yet despite the demonizing of these fascinating animals none of us have ever been attacked by them or caught any diseases off them? One of the things our many visitors from overseas want to see is the bats visiting our yard. Australia is missing out on a great tourist opportunity here.

kjm - 12 Sep 2010 3:00:54pm

Wake up bat lovers!!!! They may be native animals but they are dirty disease carrying things. I have horses and have cleared any plant that may attract bats as has most horse owners.I truley believe the govt should get some balls and cull some especially in populated areas before an outbreak of a mutated virus breaks out. Why allow huge colonies in urban areas to remain!!!!!Madness!! When the first child dies from an area around these colonies and there is no cure for others, then will the fed govt kick in more money for research? Why wait for the inevitable?Woodend Ipswich has a huge colony that should be culled. God help the people living near the smelly mess.

Helen McLeish - 28 Feb 2009 7:37:09am

shame on you ABC YOU ARE ALWAYS BIAS ifeed them in my backyard i never get infected.the media always sending a wrong information,scaring people.how about do true scientific evidence not fact?PLEASE don't blame bats because you don't like them, i think the virus is you sending wrong information to people.BAT are a silent HERO to our environment not the enemy. PLEASE,PLEASE ---HELP THEM SURVIVE.

Lived through hendra - 01 Dec 2011 3:12:26pm

I lived through the horror of Hendra Virus, I worked at the clinic affected by it several years ago and lost a dear friend and colleaugue of mine, Ben Cunneen. Another friend and colleague almost met the same fate but by some miracle she is still alive today although doesn't HAVE much of a life because of it.

It was also devastating losing all of the horses that we did, some race horses, some pets, some both and I wouldn't wish it on anybody and I'm not sure how you can justify putting Bats first?!...How about we look after our own species first...are you really telling me you would put a bat over a member of your own family or a friend? Lets be serious.

I'm all for saving as many species as possible and doing what's best for the environment but bats are certainly not the HEROs in this story or any other and I'd like to know what on earth possesed you to say such a thing...

Until you've had something this awful happen to somebody you love or have lost a dear pet of your own I don't really think you are qualified to pass judegment in such a way.

Pteropus - 27 Feb 2009 11:01:34pm

I am glad to see so many comments in support of bats in response to this program although it is wrong to suggest that the program was factually inaccurate or contained lies. I agree that the crucial role these animals play in the environment could have been emphasised to give a more balanced perspective.Keeping quiet about these disease issues will lead to less research being conducted and a lesser ability to effectively manage these types of problems to the benefit of bats, humans and the environment in the future. A â€śhead in the sandâ€ť approach is not to be recommended.I think we need to know more about health and disease in wildlife for the benefit of all. Hopefully this program will contribute to raising public and political awareness of this.The rate of diseases â€śspilling overâ€ť from wildlife to humans and domestic animals is increasing globally and an intelligent response is required for the benefit of future generations of all (humans, horses, fruit bats etc).

Research Coordinator - 27 Feb 2009 5:41:13pm

"clues pointed to an animal that could move swiftly and cover a lot of ground."What 'clues' were these assumptions based upon? Only 3 people have died from Hendravirus- compared to millions from salmonella- should we also be demonising chickens?? No, of course not- there are many people with a vested interest in chicken farming, we wouldn't want to upset a multi billion dollar industry now, would we? We should stop scapegoating a species that has only one fault- having no commercial value.

Lived through hendra - 01 Dec 2011 3:14:04pm

Actually research coordinator, I think you'll find that bats carry several of the world's most deadly viruses.

Perhaps you should read my other post...

Alison O'Sullivan - 27 Feb 2009 3:01:28pm

Anti bat, scare mongering reporting. Horses infect humans with Hendra not bats - what is the vector? Dr Wang, you seem to be very biased. "bats as a reservoir of nasty virus." How many people have died or become seriously ill from cats and how many from bats? Catalyst, some balanced reporting please.

Nanette Kempel - 27 Feb 2009 12:08:42pm

Another program demonising bats!!!! Have you any idea what this is doing to people's attitudes towards them??? People are unnecessary traumatised by them and treat bats as vermin. How about some factual reporting and soem positive publicity for the much maligned animal. They deserve it!

Mandy Olsen - 27 Feb 2009 9:38:46am

That report on bats was reprehensiible! The facts were biased and scientifically incomplete. The fact that bats have antibodies to Hendra virus does in no way indicate that they are infectious. HORSES are infectious- did you highlight that!Were any other animals checked for antibodies or are we just on a hate campaign for bats? They may indeed be the answer to developing a vaccine.These animals are struggling to survive in Australia. They are a protected species and you are contributing to misconceptions and public fear about them. You have managed to deflect the blame from where it is due- and to liken it to SARS and Ebola. Please! I thought Catalyst would be a bit above scare tactics. Hang your heads in shame for what you have done..........

tracey gardner - 27 Feb 2009 9:18:11am

Tests trying to cross infect bats and horses have failed.So far, you are helping create havic, panic and condemnation for an entire species."Reseachers are now trying to prove that theory."TRYING TO PROVE A THEORY.............SHAME SHAME SHAME ABC.Perhaps proven information, not theories, is what the public at large needs to hear. Perhaps a list of all the wonderful purposes flying foxes have, perhaps helpful information on what to do if an animal is found in need of attention. Perhaps how to lessen the chances of a flying fox venturing to your property.Perhaps truths on this subject, not a bunch of theories and lies!!

Wildlife researcher from UQ - 27 Feb 2009 8:58:01am

There is no true scientific evidence that bats can be blamed for Hendra and other diseases. I rather found that media likes to blame bats for everything because it is easy and horse racing industry and fruit growers support this ideas. I would be delighted if the press could also report that bats are our major pollinator and seed disperser in Australia - no bats means no gum trees! Its a disaster that most people do not know how important bats are for Australian ecosystems.

gillian bennett - 27 Feb 2009 6:53:57am

Well, I don't know if I have seen as good a job of scaremongering done in the recent past as this report tonight. I am afraid it leaves out so much information, and seems to want to concentrate on painting the bat as a purveyor of fatal viruses needing to be eradicated. Far more research is required before a report such as this is publicised, but you guys went for the more saleable sensationalisation of a fractionally completed research report. BIG FAT BOO to you.

Rachael - 27 Feb 2009 3:45:16am

"Disease Spreading Bats"

FACT: No bat carer/rescuer has EVER contracted Hendra.

Hendra has to be amplified through another host.

To date, scientists have NOT been able to replicate how those horses became ill.

Your story was so full of holes it could be mistaken for swiss cheese.

The general population are bombarded with stories such as yours, front page newspaper reports and hysterical negative media about bats.

Yes, there are alot of unanswered questions with how Hendra is passed to horses, but from the other side of the coin, bats are a keystone species in our ecosystem. How about doing a story on the importance of their very existance in relation to our forests? Let people know how amazing these creatures are, so they can develop a little compassion for these little guys - and maybe we wouldn't get so many people ignoring bats on barbed wire or baby bats on the ground dying in the sun next to busy bus stops.

I was under the impression that Catalyst was a well researched, scientifically produced program. Dr Les Hall was interviewed for hours, giving a balanced approach to the media driven hysteria surrounding bats and virus transmission, yet his appearance on the program was slashed to a few sentences!

I rescue bats and raise orphaned babies. Wildlife rescue organisations rely on the public to be compassionate enough to call us to help animals in distress. I pray that the people who saw your progam tonight don't forget that a bat on barbed wire or caught in netting still needs to be humanely treated, instead of looking at the bats as "disease spreading bats" who should simply be ignored.

Karen - 04 Jun 2010 10:15:55am

Rachel,Do you live with bats because I do for the past five years they have nested in the back of my beautiful property along Warbrah Creek In Qld. Myself along with my neighbours are woken up every morning at 4.00am to the sound of screeching bats defaecing my house what ever else they are dropping as they are returning from their little feasting session from the night before to which they have travelled some 100klms in distance. To who knows where and what diseases have they picked up and incurred along the way I think in years to come people will be ruing the day they didn't do anything about the BATS.The misconception they are asleep during the day is balony. They are awake all day the screech and fight all day long. We have black bats orange breasted ones and grey ones. Last year we had another type in our back yard. They were a pale silvery grey colour. Most bats don't like nesting nest to one another, but these ones were nested on top of one another and in there wake they stripped the trees along our beautiful bare and many just fell into the creek causing a large build up in that area almost rendering that area of the creek useless. For you Bat lovers out there think about the what that has done to the pristine envrionment along our creek. Open your eyes most of you don't even live any where near bats or you will know that they are becoming a real pest. Now whether they have some dreaded disease or not a lot of it is because developers are taking away there natural habitat and most are migrating into the urban areas, what I want to know is why are the councils not doing a dam thing about it are they getting kick backs from the developers and why do we have to put up with these little vermin. I have watched these animals for the past five years and have watched them living in their invaded habitat at the back of my house and I can tell you and any other bat lover out there I know more about their habitat and what they do than the wild life society and believe me it's not pretty what they do open your eyes to descrating mess they make

Kristy - 26 Feb 2009 11:11:10pm

I thought that there were a number of issues not addressed adequately in your article relating to Hendra Virus and flying fox. Hume Field suggested they had found virus in saliva, blood, urine and faeces. However when the sampling was undertaken, it simply said that suspect samples were sent on for further testing. So does actual evidence exist for this? As far as I am aware, this is as yet not conclusive. I believe that there is a real lack of scientific understanding regarding this issue and your misrepresentation of the topic further spreads fear amongst an already wary public. It is important to recognise through science as well, the vital role flying fox play in building native forests and contributing to genetic diversity of eucalypts for example. Perhaps we should consider being afraid of horses, which are foreign to the Australian landscape anyway, if they are infact the transmission point to humans for Hendra virus...

Louise Saunders - 26 Feb 2009 10:50:47pm

What an appauling segment. Based on fact? No way - Biosecurity had you just playing along with their wicked little game of lying to the public once more. Are you not a wake up? - they have no real evidence to blame the bats for the spread of Hendra and all your program acheived was to push a key stone species further into the dark age mentality with uneducated public. How dare you, your suposed to base your stories on factual science. Horses kill humans not bats and they tried to cross Hendra to bats and failed - did they tell you they did successfully cross Hendra to Horses from Cats? What lives at horse stable - rats - what eats rats - cats - how hard are feral cats to catch? The horse industry wanted answers DPI gave them a lie. Thousands of trees have been cut down in horse paddocks for this lie and bats are suffering from ignorance because of stories like this one. Please try to make up for this horrific sorrow you have now bought onto bats with this story. Many will die because of what you have done. Lies - I will have trouble watching your program again.

Susan Richardson - 15 Sep 2009 11:10:17pm

I agree. Incidentally, I do have first hand knowledge; I have read "Spillover" (tripe);I also have evidence that the DPI's PCR test is severely flawed. Not that I can get them to investigate. It seems only lies and scare tactics will ever be the domain of the media, as they refuse to even call back when offered documentary evidence of hidden agenda or truth. Apparently I lost a horse to Hendra - declared positive, despite his beingcleared on 2 rounds of definitive tests, and the second of those was done with no blood! Clever DPI! You don't suppose the fact that I am a bat carer has anything to do with that??? Despite that all corpses, and feotuses I have submitted to H. Field prior, during and post outbreak - Peachester 2006, showed no sign of Virus. (nor was he interested in a different species that WAS suspect.) Ho hum, this is the usual rubbish we can expect to see to "hold the hype" and kill the easy scapegoats. I wonder if Dr Wang has had treatment for his phobia?